EAA chapter wins Taco Bell grant for

More than $9,000 was recently awarded to EAA Chapter 1083 in Salisbury, N.C., by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens for an aviation summer camp.

EAA Chapter 1083 will serve approximately 30 teens through this Graduate to Go experience grant. Teens from Salisbury and the surrounding area will experience AVIATION SUMMER CAMP-Exploring New Dimensions (ASCEND), where they will be able to learn about aircraft and what makes them fly, participate in hands-on activities including covering a wing and how to work with sheet metal, explore careers in aviation, travel to the Charlotte Aviation Museum, and experience a flight in a general aviation aircraft. The camp will be held June 18-23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a special flight Saturday morning for attendees.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens for our long-time commitment to high school graduation and long-term success among teens,” said Jana Brown, Education Coordinator for the chapter. “It’s because of partnerships like this that we are able to offer career, community and educational experiences that inspire our teen members to stay committed to earning their high school degree and move onto great things in life.”

EAA Chapter 1083 is one of more than 250 organizations nationwide that will receive a portion of $2.7 million granted by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. Graduate To Go is a long-term effort, launched by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, to raise awareness of the high-school dropout crisis and encourage teens to get their diploma. The initiative funds real-world experiences, such as job training and college preparation, proven to motivate teens to stay in school. Funds were raised through local Taco Bell restaurant owners and Taco Bell customers.

For more information about ASCEND, go to EAA1083.com and click on the ASCEND Page. You can also view a clip from last year’s camp here.